STAYING WARM: United States goalkeeper Tim Howard warms up on the field during training at Ellis Park Stadium in preparation for today's matchup with Slovenia.AP

After all the hype and hoopla of its World Cup opening draw with favored England, now the United States finds itself in the unfamiliar — and uncomfortable — role as favorite. It faces tiny Slovenia today in its most pivotal match of the Cup, a must-have game to decide its fate in South Africa.

“In the past I would’ve worried about [a letdown], but it’s not like we were popping champagne,” said Landon Donovan. “As much as was made of the England game, we knew that was only the start. We understand what [today] is all about.”

A victory would all but achieve the stated goal of reaching the knockout stage. A tie would keep hopes alive, with a loss almost guaranteeing elimination. And while Andrej Komac brashly guaranteed a Slovenian win, the U.S. readily acknowledges the importance of the moment.

“Obviously a loss will put us out,” said captain Carlos Bocanegra. “We’re going to have to go into this game in an intelligent fashion. We need to be smart and not open ourselves up going for the win, because a loss will put us out.”

Slovenia sits atop Group C after its opening win over Algeria, a victory that emboldened Komac to make his nervy prediction. But the U.S. is determined to make sure he ends up more Patrick Ewing than Joe Namath.

“Talk is cheap,” said goalkeeper Tim Howard. “They’ve got to stand toe-to-toe with us for 90 minutes, and if he’s still standing, then I’ll take my hat off to him. But a lot of boxers talk, too, and they’re looking up at the lights; and next thing they know, they’re trying to figure out how they got there.”

Howard, who suffered bruised ribs in the opener, is expected to start today. But will Coach Bradley stick with speedy Robbie Findley up front? In need of goals will he stay with Rico Clark in central midfield, or go with Maurice Edu or Jose Torres?

Whoever starts, the U.S. will see a mirror image of a physical, 4-4-2 team looking to counterattack. But with Slovenia leading the group, the U.S. must now carry the play in search of the full three points. It’s also never done well against Central European teams or underdogs, and in Slovenia it faces both.

The U.S. is 0-7-1 all time vs. teams from the region, generally outmuscled physically. And while it has done exceptionally well against the group favorites over the years — 3-3-2 since 1950 — it’s a horrid 0-9-2 against everybody.

“Mindset is key. Going into a game as favorites would be different for us, and that does pose a challenge . . . to know you’re under pressure to get three points,” said defender Jay DeMerit. “But we need to use that as a positive, we should expect more. There’s no reason to get results like Saturday to not put in a good performance against Slovenia. It’s games like this that are going to get you to the next round.”

And it will be decided at Ellis Park, the same stadium where the U.S. blew a second-half lead to Brazil in last summer’s Confederations Cup final. How has it learned its lessons?